D.C. Mayoral Candidate Carol Schwartz Submits Petitions

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Former D.C. Council member Carol Schwartz submitted more than 6,500 petition signatures to the D.C. Board of Elections Wednesday to get her name on the mayoral ballot for the fifth time.

Schwartz, an independent, is challenging two current council members, Democrat Muriel Bowser and independent David Catania.

Schwartz needed 3,000 signatures to make the ballot. She said Wednesday that she collected signatures with the help of more than 70 volunteers, which she said shows her campaign's strength. The only people doubting her chances are reporters, Schwartz said.

Schwartz is not trying to raise much money but said she has lent her campaign $30,000 and has more than matched that with contributions, most of them small.

Schwartz, 70, is running for mayor for the fifth time. The closest she came was in 1994, when she received 42 percent of the vote while challenging Marion Barry. A non-Democrat has never been elected mayor in the District.